Strikers in saris

Strikers in saris

In a caption on this gallery we wrongly stated that, at the time of the 1976-78 strike, conditions at Grunwick Processing Ltd were "appalling". We also stated that "the pay was poor, employees had to put their hands up if they wanted to use the toilet, and overtime was compulsory". In fact, as the 1977 Scarman inquiry concluded, physical working conditions in the company before the strike were good; although the rates of pay were low prior to the strike, the company increased financial benefits paid to workers in November 1976 and April 1977 so that at the time of his report Lord Scarman noted that the rates of pay were broadly comparable with, and in some respects, slightly better than, those paid by comparable firms in the industry; it was not necessary to seek permission to go to the toilet after the company moved premises in 1976; and employees understood and accepted the requirement of compulsory overtime during busy periods. We apologise to Grunwick and its chairman, George Ward.

Tuesday 19 January 2010 19.01 EST
First published on Tuesday 19 January 2010 19.01 EST

In 1977, workers at Grunwick photo-processing factory in Willesden, London, went on strike. The workforce was predominantly Asian and female, and was led by Jayaben DesaiPhotograph: Peter Johns/Guardian

Conservative MP John Gorst and George Ward, managing director of Grunwick photo-processing laboratory Ltd at a press conference in London during the industrial dispute, 1 September 1977 Photograph: Peter Cade/Getty Images